Customer Reviews

The ABCs of Violin for the Absolute Beginner: Violin, Book 1

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I had always wanted to learn how to play the violin and finally decided to take the plunge last year. It seemed like a good idea to buy some starter books that would help me learn how. I picked up three such books that had been recommended to me. By far the best was the "ABCs of Violin for the Absolute Beginner." The notes were easy to read and the tunes were really fun to play. New ideas were introduced at a good pace--not pushy fast, not pokey slow--just right. I could keep up without feeling overwhelmed, but I felt like I was learning something, too. I'm now near the end of Book 2 of the series and having a blast! Can't wait to try out Book 3.

The other two method books I bought just didn't cut it for me. They seemed harder to understand and threw a lot at you all at once. It was the ABCs that really made me want to keep playing--no contest as far as I'm concerned, at least.

The ABC's of Violin has played an enormous role in fulfilling my dream of learning to play the violin. I'm overwhelmed by the simplicity of its approach, and it's underlying structure that has so effectively developed my skills. New concepts and techniques are introduced in such a logical manner as to further a student's development while limiting the frustrations and intimidation that frequently accompany a new undertaking such as learning an instrument. I also enjoy the vast repertoire of material presented throughout the book. The material ranges from focused studies to actual songs, encompassing nearly every genre imaginable, from classical to folk. Many of these songs are famous, others are slightly more obscure, but each cleverly selected to introduce a new element or concept at precisely the right time. The variety of music selection has also expanded the future directions that I hope to take my violin playing.

I also highly recommend acquiring the accompanying CD. It contains beautiful renditions of the songs presented in the book. I've found that playing along with the CD greatly improved my reading, timing, intonation, and confidence.

I started off by using this book when I decided to teach myself the violin, and I'm very happy I did. The finger placement charts really helped me get started right. It's been a lot of fun using the book, because I can play famous melodies I'm familiar with. I also thought the author's original tunes were nice. And after doing the warm-up exercises, it was really easy to play the melodies that came after.

Yes indeed, this is a book for an absolute beginner on the violin--and I ought to know. I was one just a few months ago. Now, I'm in book 2 of the series and enjoying it. And I didn't need a teacher, either.

I'd recommend this book very highly.

I have been using this book as teaching material for around 2 years now and haven't looked back! The books in this series link fluently from one to the next, making learning and teaching seamless. This book is almost like three books in one - it consists of short studies, pieces - both familiar and new, and scales. Logical step by step progressions and notation is clear. The studies consist of new or challenging concepts which are then included in the piece to follow, allowing your practice to be thorough and time efficient. Each of the books maintain this structure. The best book I have ever used - HIGHLY recommended!

I had been searching 15 years for the ideal method to use with my students and this is it! I've been using it for the past 4 years. With this entire series (5 books for violin) my younger and older students have had more enthusiasm to practice and learn to read quicker and better. By the time they play student concertos and advanced solo pieces, their technique is more precise than with other methods.

Details:
1. It has more variety than other methods--it includes fiddle tunes, classical, folk and improvisational. Continually keeps up my student's interest--they are never bored!
2. The warm-ups before each piece make so much sense and have taught me to create my own while teaching violin concertos and advanced solo pieces. Plus they are nice to listen to, so students practice them--unlike other method book's warm-ups which make violin playing seem tedious. The etudes (study pieces) are written well, too. They are fun to play!
3. The finger graphs help my students know where to put their fingers right away--some go ahead in the book without me assigning the next lesson.
4. The pages are clean looking without all that clutter you see in other method books--the notes are bigger, too!
5. All the books from this series cover the essential techniques more thoroughly than other methods--so many methods move too fast which can be discouraging for students!
6. The pieces the author wrote are some of the best pieces in the book. Not only are they beautiful, but they work very well technically--they lay well in both hands. Many other colleagues of mine agree with this about Ms. Tucker Rhoda's pieces.
7. By the way, Book 5 is my favorite book. It has classic solo pieces. To name a few: Ave Maria, The Swan, Panis Angelicus--all perfect recital pieces and great pieces to play at weddings! My favorite of Ms. Tucker Rhoda's is "Appassionata." It sounds like a beautiful, romantic and fiery Russian melody--the movie Dr. Zhivago comes to mind.

*If you wish to become a well-rounded player, get this book, plus the CD. Continue with all 5 books and you'll be able to read well and play well. You'll be able to sound more professional in the long run compared to other methods out there. This method is truly unique!!

I used this book for self-instruction and was completely satisfied. I'm into book two now--can't wait to learn all the new melodies!

This book one entails numerous appealing melodies. I especially like the fiddle and folk tunes, although there are also nice classical. The warm ups and scales are very useful, too.

There are picture graphs that show where to put your fingers on the neck of the violin--easy to follow. You start with A-B-C sharp on the second string in (a graph shows you that the second string from the right is the A string). The graph also shows the letters with the corresponding finger numbers. So A is the string itself, B is your first finger on the A string, and C sharp is your second finger on the A string. You pick it up right away!

I've been using this book to teach myself to play violin. I found it really easy to follow and feel like I've moved forward well over the last several months. Maybe I'm not ready for Carnegie Hall yet <big grin> but I'm having lots of fun and feel like I'm progressing, and that's all that matters to me. Like the review title says, I'm a beginner and I like this book. Can't imagine anyone feeling otherwise.

This book has made playing the violin a lot easier than I thought it would be.

The reading lessons at the beginning of the book make it clear what the names of the spaces and the lines of the music staff are and there's a picture showing you the names of the 4 violin strings. When new notes are introduced in the book there is a picture graph before the new exercises showing you where these new notes are to be played on the neck of the violin. Each graph shows the name of the string, the letter name of the note (A, B, C#, D, etc.) and also the appropriate finger to use. Also, it states things like : "B is 1st finger on the A-string. C# is 2nd finger on the A-string." There is a picture of a hand showing you how each finger is numbered. (For ex., your 1st finger is your index finger, your 2nd finger is your middle finger, etc.) It's very clear!!

But what really caught me is the wide variety of music selections.

Everyone who has even the slightest interest in playing the violin should own this book. A staple for any beginner on the violin!

Violin has become my latest hobby. I've been practicing every chance I get. I'm having a blast, and I think this book is why. I can't wait to turn the page and get to the next tune. The notes are real easy to read. Everything moves slow enough so I don't get frustrated. I sound pretty good now, lots better than when I started. Yeah, I think this is one really neat little book. I'd recommend it to anybody. I also got the duet book and the CD. They're great too.

As an older beginner I had my doubts about beginning to play the violin. Upon a friend's recommendation I began with this book. It made me feel like I could actually get somewhere in a shorter time than I ever thought. Afterall, I am older (Age 56) and have no time to waste. Arkansas Traveler and Irish Washer Woman are fun to play. I'm anticipating playing Jingle Bells and O Come All Ye Faithful at Christmas time for whoever will be willing to listen. Also, included in the book is Home on the Range, Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and Beethoven's Ode to Joy. Lots of others like Frere Jacques and Alouette.

Getting the CD helps alot.